Eriksen hopes to play at World Cup: 'My heart is not an obstacle'

Christian Eriksen said Tuesday he’s aiming to rejoin Denmark’s national team and play at the 2022 World Cup despite only recently recovering from cardiac arrest.

“My goal is to play in the World Cup in Qatar,” Eriksen told Danish TV station DR1. “I want to play. That’s been my mindset all along. It’s a goal, it’s a dream. Whether I’ll be picked is another thing. But it’s my dream to come back.”

Eriksen said he had “died for five minutes” after falling face-first onto the turf midway through his country’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland on June 12. Team medics rushed to his side to administer life-saving CPR while his teammates formed a human shield around him.

Doctors fitted Eriksen with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or type of pacemaker, during his week-long stay at a local hospital.

“I’m sure I can come back because I don’t feel any different,” the 29-year-old added. “Physically, I’m back in top shape. … I’m just going to play football and prove that I’m back at the same level.”

Despite recovering, Eriksen terminated his contract with Inter Milan because Italy forbids anyone with an implantable device from playing professionally. However, rules are different in other countries, and he has already resumed training at Danish side Odense Boldklub, where he began his career.

Eriksen hasn’t played in an official match since the incident.

Denmark qualified for the 2022 World Cup in his absence, winning UEFA qualifying Group F with a 9-1 record. The tournament begins Nov. 21.

“My dream is to rejoin the national team and play at Parken again and prove that it was a one-timer and that it won’t happen again,” Eriksen added.

“My heart is not an obstacle.”